Israel and Lebanon Extend Ceasefire By 45 Days

A ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon will be extended by 45 days, the U.S. Department of State said on May 15.

The U.S.-brokered ceasefire, which started on April 16, is set to continue after two days of “productive talks” in Washington, D.C., between the neighboring countries.

The State Department will monitor developments in the negotiation process over the next few weeks as the countries plan to resume peace talks on June 2.

“We hope these discussions will advance lasting peace between the two countries, full recognition of each other’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, and establishing genuine security along their shared border,” State Department Spokesperson Tommy Pigott wrote in a statement on May 15.

Israel’s ambassador to the United States, Yechiel Leiter, said on Friday that he was looking forward to the next phase of peace talks.

“The peace talks were frank and constructive, and are set to move forward on two tracks: security and political,” Leiter wrote in an X post on Friday.

“There will be ups and downs, but the potential for success is great. What will be paramount throughout negotiations is the security of our citizens and our soldiers.”

The talks held this week were the third meeting since Israel intensified attacks on its northern neighbor after Hezbollah, a designated terrorist organization, fired missiles from Lebanon into Israel on March 2.

The conflict between the neighbors came just days after the United States and Israel launched Operation Epic Fury in Iran, killing dozens of senior Iranian officials including Iranian leader Ali Khamenei.

Despite the extended ceasefire, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) alleged that “several hostile aircraft launched from Lebanon toward Israeli territory” on Friday, according to a Telegram post.

The IDF alleged that two aircraft were intercepted and fell into open areas.

“This incident constitutes an additional violation of the ceasefire understandings by the Hezbollah terrorist organization,” the IDF said.

Separately, Lebanon’s Health Ministry accused Israel of raiding towns in the Tyre district on Friday. The alleged raids injured 37 people on Friday, including three children and six hospital workers.

The Tyre District is a coastal region located in the southern part of the country.

Data posted by the ministry on May 15 showed nearly 3,000 people have died in Lebanon since the dispute broke out in March. Nearly 9,000 others have been hurt during the conflict.

This is a developing story and will be updated.